hens just started laying! don’t know if i should move them or not!

[sammyrenny]

my girls just started laying eggs for me! i went out today to collect the eggs and one of my hens is sitting on the eggs. i am new to this part of chickens so i’m not sure if i should move her to get them or leave her be and come back later and maybe she’ll have left? my chickens are free range so i’m super happy they’re laying in there roost box so i don’t want to move her and then that make her think it’s not a safe place and then they won’t come back to lay there again. not sure how this works.. help please!

 

[TooCheep]

They'll often sit on eggs for a while after laying. This isn't the same as "broodiness" where the chicken gets into mothering mode and wants to just stay in the nest and hatch eggs.

Normally, I wouldn't feel bad too bad about disturbing them to gather eggs, but it isn't unreasonable to leave new hens undisturbed and get more comfortable with laying in that location. Just give her an hour+ and come back. She should be gone by then.

 

[sammyrenny]

okay thanks so much! i’ll keep going and checking every so often then

 

[PirateGirl]

Some girls take more time than others in the nest box when they go to lay. Some like to visit the box and check out the eggs the other girls have laid. I'd just let her be for now and come back in a few hours.

 

[aart]

Some girls take more time than others in the nest box when they go to lay.

Yes!
'The Loungers'
Laying around in nests before and after or instead of laying(coming back later).